1 Corinthians 14:3-But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort…or edification, exhortation and consolation… or building up, stirring up and binding up.

As we explore the potential of the prophetic gifts we use today, we must also look at Old Testament prophetic types. Why? Even as Jesus Christ is the fulfillment and “the end of the law to those who believe”, Paul said many things that happened in the Old Testament were to be “examples” for us to follow. 1Cor 10:11​As we look at all the prophets in bible, we see they manifest their gifts in different ways. As we learn more about this gift and how it functions through, we will see that a “one-size-fits-all”description does not apply. Each person is uniquely gifted to fulfill a specific assignment in the earth at that time in history. Acts 13:36 ​

So let’s look at the SEER…

Isaiah 29:10-For the LORD has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, the seers.

1 Samuel 9:9-(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let us go to the seer“; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.)

1 Chronicles 29:29-30 Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the chronicles of Gad the seer, with all his reign, his power, and the circumstances which came on him, on Israel, and on all the kingdoms of the lands.

2 Chronicles 29:25 He then stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with harps, and with lyres, according to the command of David and of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the command was from the LORD through His prophets.

2 Chronicles 33:18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh even his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are among the records of the kings of Israel.

Isaiah 30:10 who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.

In the Old Testament those with prophetic ministries were referred to by three different names:man of God, seer & prophet. The description, man of God was obvious but the seer and prophet descriptions are what I want to focus on a little bit. While they essentially served a similar function, their revelations and insights from the Lord came to them in different ways and in a different form. For example: a guitarist, a pianist and a cellist are all musicians yet they each communicate music differently through different instruments and textures of sound.

The seer is one who sees the things of the Spirit but not always in a conventional way. The Isaiah 29:10 passage distinguishes between prophets (eyes) & seers (head or all five senses). Someone operating in the prophetic anointing is primarily one who sees things in the Spirit, the eyes. But the seer, a variation of the prophetic anointing, can “see” with all five senses of the Spirit: seeing, hearing, taste, smell and feelings or touch. A seer may “ smell” a demon or “hear” the sounds of heaven” or “feel” depression or “sense” the presence of angels.

A seer is one touched “by the feeling of our infirmities”(Hebrews 4:15) even as the Lord is touched by the feelings of ours. It is identifying with the Body of Christ as they experience certain things. 1 Corinthians 12:26….and if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

As Jesus was touched by the feelings of our infirmities, so He is also able by the Spirit to touch us with the feeling of the infirmity of that other part or member. Why does He do that? So that we can pray and minister to the member in need. When our natural body gets damaged, certain types of white cells (lymphocytes) rush to defend the body against bacteria and disease while blood coagulants and other chemicals are released to restore health back to that part. If we are Spirit led we should also realize we will feel these things as well. This is part of what the seer anointing is about.

Before I continue referring to these OT passages, some of you might be thinking, “So what do these OT examples have to do with NT prophetic ministry today?” A lot! These differentiations of prophetic gifting are still operating and relevant today even though the purpose of NT prophetic ministry is somewhat different from the OT. NT prophetic ministry is defined with the following purposes in 1 Corinthians 14:3: But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

While this is the reason for NT prophetic ministry,prophets are friends of God and God does reveal His upcoming purposes and secrets to them so we would do well to listen to them.

2 Chronicles 20:20Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”​Amos 3:7-Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.While the seer anointing is not exclusively mentioned in the New Testament, it is another aspect of prophetic ministry. Silence doesn’t necessarily equate with absence since prophetic topics are mentioned over 70 times in scripture. The way one manifests this prophetic operation is as unique as the person is. The way those with this “seer” tendency in their prophetic anointing may function may seem peculiar, but with a little understanding & practice they can become effective & fruitful. Just as no two snowflakes are exactly alike, so no two prophetic ministers are identical. God made us.. individually!

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